Wales has now become the second UK nation to introduce a new law that bans the use of physical punishment of children – and England is being urged to follow suit.
Following in the footsteps of Scotland, along with 60 other nations in what has been described as a “historic” move, from today, any type of corporal or physical punishment – which includes smacking, hitting, slapping, shaking and more – is against the law in Wales under the Children (Abolition Of Defence Of Reasonable Punishment – Wales) Act of 2020.
Although physical punishment has been illegal in schools, children’s homes, local authority foster care homes, and childcare settings in Wales for some time, this new legislation that has come into force removes the defence of “reasonable punishment”, which has been in force since Victorian times in England and Wales.
This new law will apply to everybody in Wales – including visitors – and will also cover anyone responsible for a child while parents are absent.
Speaking on the introduction of the new law, First Minister Mark Drakeford said: “The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child makes it clear that children have the right to be protected from harm and from being hurt and this includes physical punishment.
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“That right is now enshrined in Welsh law – no more grey areas, no more ‘defence of reasonable punishment’.
“That is all in the past.”
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I am really proud that today we have finally made the physical punishment of children illegal here in Wales.
We must do all that we can to protect our children from harm and this includes physical punishment.
Julie Morgan – the deputy minister for social services, who has campaigned for the law change for more than two decades – also said: “Today is a historic moment for children and their rights in Wales as we make physically punishing children a thing of the past.”
The Welsh government’s website makes it clear that anyone who physically punishes a child will be breaking the law, risks being arrested or charged with assault, and may get a criminal record as a result.
Despite some critics and rival MPs raising concerns that the new legislation will criminalise parents, potentially create a “Stasi culture”, and is “unnecessary, unworkable, and undesired”, Viv Laing, the policy and public affairs manager at NSPCC Cymru Wales, is urging both England and Northern Ireland to follow suit, saying the two countries are now “outliers”.
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Wales has become the second UK nation to ban the use of physical punishment of children / Credit: Welsh Government
She said: “In Wales, as in more than 60 countries around the world, we will no longer tolerate physical violence against children.
“Until now, children were the only group in our society who it was acceptable to strike in certain circumstances [but] we don’t allow the physical punishment of adults or animals, so it is absurd that we have for so long with children.”
Featured Image – Welsh Government
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2027 Manchester Marathon sells out in record time after biggest event ever
Danny Jones
The 2027 adidas Manchester Marathon has already sold out in record time after the biggest event in the race’s history.
Incredible stuff.
Yes, after more than 42,000 runners took on this year’s 26.2-mile challenge – the highest number to date – public places for next year’s Manchester Marathon have gone in the blink of an eye.
To be specific, they were snapped up in just 10 days: even faster than the last time around, with 2026 having also broken the previous fastest (or PB, if you will) time before that.
Posting on social media, the organisers wrote: “We’re blown away by the response as a record-breaking number of public places were secured during our launch window, and we’re now officially at capacity.
“Thank you for the amazing support. We can’t wait to help you turn your 26.2 dreams into reality.”
They also went on to remind people that even if they missed out, potential participants can still secure a place through their official charity partners.
Manchester Marathon maintains annual partnerships with the likes of Alzheimer’s Society, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Mind, and The Christie Charity.
Teaming up with numerous non-profit organisations over the decades after it first began way back in 1908, before enjoying multiple stints during the 1980s and late 90s into the noughties, huge sums have been raised over the years.
It’s never anything less than a heartwarming and inspiring day.
The modern MCR Marathon, as we know it, returned in its present format nearly a decade and a half ago, beginning its current collaboration with sportswear giants adidas, therefore helping raise the profile even further, with the 2026 fundraising tally also reaching a record-breaking £5.2 million this past April.
At the moment, the Manchester Marathon maintains annual partnerships with the likes of Alzheimer’s Society, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Mind, and The Christie Charity.
Once again, these organisations, along with the likes of the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Charity and many more, will continue to offer charity places for the 2027 Manchester Marathon, provided you can hit the fundraising total.
We don’t know about you, but we’re loving this city and the surrounding boroughs being well and truly in their running era, and we also urge all of you who make up part of the local culture to immerse yourself in all aspects – especially when it comes to the post-race season party…
DJs, karaoke, quizzing, three full rooms, an entire beer garden to themselves, and MUCH more. 👀
Beloved Greater Manchester tourist attraction left devastated after deliberate act of ‘mindless’ vandalism
Emily Sergeant
A beloved heritage tourist attraction in Greater Manchester has been left devastated after being attacked in a deliberate act of ‘mindless’ vandalism.
East Lancashire Railway (ELR) has revealed that it has, once again, been the victim of what it is referring to as a ‘deliberate and disgraceful’ act of vandalism overnight over May bank holiday weekend, where a locomotive and several coaches from the InterCity 125 heritage set were ‘targeted’.
In what can only be described as a ‘mindless attack’, extensive graffiti was plastered across rolling stock.
“One coach had only just been repainted in February, making this damage particularly galling,” ELR said in a gutting statement.
East Lancashire Railway has been left devastated after deliberate act of ‘mindless’ vandalism / Credit: ELR (Supplied)
Staff and volunteers working on the heritage railway claim this incident was ‘not opportunistic behaviour’ and was, in fact, a ‘calculated act of destruction’ against irreplaceable heritage assets cared for by volunteers.
Once the vandalism was discovered, volunteers immediately stepped in and worked tirelessly for several hours using specialist cleaning materials to remove the graffiti before it could permanently set.
Although further polishing and restoration work is still required, ELR says the volunteers’ swift action prevented what could have been ‘significant and lasting’ damage.
The beloved heritage tourist attraction called it ‘a calculated act of destruction’ / Credit: ELR (Supplied)
“This is a disgraceful and deeply frustrating attack on a railway run largely by volunteers, with many steam and diesel traction owned either by the ELR or groups and in some cases, private individuals who give their time freely to preserve our railway,” commented Mike Kelly, who is the Chairman of the East Lancashire Railway.
“It is nothing short of a kick in the teeth for those who work so hard to maintain and preserve historic traction and rolling stock.
“We are working closely with the police and are determined to see those responsible identified and held accountable.”
Greater Manchester Police attended the scene, gathered evidence, but anyone with any information about those responsible is urged to contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.
Emily Sergeant -
21st March 2022 
